Nearly 70 Texas shelter dogs flown to Pittsburgh after storm

by Associated Press

KDKA&nbsp;

PITTSBURGH , Pa. —

The Pittsburgh Aviation Animal Rescue Team has brought nearly 70 dogs to western Pennsylvania animal shelters from Texas in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

The dogs flown into the Allegheny County Airport on Monday were not rescued from storm-ravaged homes. Rather, they were transferred from shelters in and around San Antonio, so those shelters will have room for dogs that need to rescued from storm-damaged Texas homes.

The dogs brought to Pittsburgh are examined by a veterinarian and will be placed at seven Pittsburgh-area shelters that will attempt to find homes for them.

PAART's executive director, Mary Withrow, says the group learned some valuable lessons from Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans 12 years ago.

Making room so Texas shelters can care for animals from that state increases the chances some dogs will be reunited with their owners.